Free short classes on food and gardening at CWC March 16

Central Wyoming College hosts a series of free “mini classes” on gardening and food production Saturday, March 16 in the Intertribal Education Center on the Riverton campus.


The classes begin at 9 a.m. with two sessions running each hour until 4 p.m., said CWC’s community education coordinator Sherry Shelly. A locally sourced meal is available at noon for $5 per plate, which features a presentation by local farmer Steve Doyle discussing marketing strategies for farm and garden producers.


The lunch includes sloppy joes, made with grass--fed ground beef raised by Pete Cameron, potato salad using Richard Denke’s Pavillion-grown potatoes and local eggs, baked beans made with Rod Mill’s pintos a raspberry-chocolate brownie, utilizing local berries.


Shelley said gardeners may be interested in sessions on “Growing your Own Herbs and Spices,” presented by Wendy Barteaux, and Kim Wilbert discusses “Fruit Production: Apples, Pears, Plums, and Shrub Fruits.”


For those interested in raising chicken, Shelley has scheduled Patty Livingston to offer tips, and Doug Newlin talks about beekeeping and honey production.


Fremont County Rep. Rita Campbell provides an overview of recent legislative action related to local food issues, and Brendan Thoman discusses the benefits of raising and eating grass-fed beef.


Two basic business classes cover online marketing and how sellers can set up their own credit card processing. The examples used in these classes are applicable to food marketing though they also pertain to cottage businesses, Shelley explained.


A class on hoop houses covers basic set up and operation for these popular season extenders, she said, adding Perry Kaufman ‘s class on designing and constructing a drip system for gardens offers valuable tips to conserve water and grow better vegetables.


Both Nan Slingerland of Red Canyon Ranch and Maggie Palmer from Pinedale share personal stories and practical advice related to their successful efforts to produce and market meat and vegetables in Wyoming.


Shelley said there will be drawings for prizes, ranging from an apple tree to fresh farm eggs. For more details, contact Shelley at 855-2125 or 851-7162.